2015 Louisiana Legislative Session Final Report

The 2015 Louisiana Legislative Session ended June 11th at
6:00 p.m. There were a total of 1,132 bills filed. Of those bills,
Associated Builders and Contractors tracked 111. Below is a recap of
activity on some of the bills of note tracked by ABC during the 2015 Regular
Session of the Louisiana Legislature.

ABC Positions:

S1 – Aggressive support to pass

S2 – Support but other group (or
groups) has lead

M – Monitor for amendments

O2 – Oppose but other group (or
groups) has lead

O1 – Aggressive opposition to
defeat

CONSTRUCTION

House Bill 622, by
Representative Vincent Pierre –Circumvents the Louisiana Public Bid
Law by allowing the city of Lafayette, parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette
City-Parish Consolidated Government to utilize construction time and life cycle
cost as factors in determining the lowest responsive bidder, in addition to bid
cost. ABC testified in opposition to this bill. (ABC’s Position
O1). ABC Win –HB 622 failed House Transportation
Committee passage.

House Bill 387, by
Representative Walt Leger –Extends the sunset for the tax credit
for the rehabilitation of nonresidential historic structures from Jan. 1, 2018
to Jan. 1, 2019, provides for eligibility requirements, and adds a $45 million
cap for the amount of credits allowed in a taxable year. (ABC’s
Position S2) ABC Win –HB 387 was signed by the
Governor and has become Act 108 of the 2015 Legislative Session.

House Bill 679, by
Representative Karen St. Germain –Creates the Louisiana Safety
Device Pilot Program by instituting unnecessary rules, regulations,
requirements, and reporting mechanisms to be followed by contractors and
business owners when installing or maintaining conveyance devices. (ABC’s
Position O2) ABC Win –HB 679 failed passage in the
House Commerce Committee.

Senate Bill 66, by Senator
Gary Smith –Extends the sunset for Louisiana Ports to utilize
Design-Build Construction on certain port projects from 2015 to 2020. (ABC’s
Position M). ABC closely monitored SB66 for amendments expanding the
scope of the bill as filed. SB 66 passed, was signed by the Governor and
became Act 156 of the 2015 Legislative Session.

Senate Bill 162, by Senator
Gary Smith –Establishes a Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R) pilot
program that is limited to ten projects, each estimated to cost three million
dollars or more. Pilot projects must be submitted by name for review and
approval by the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways, and
public works. SB 162 further mandates that a public entity is allowed only one
CM@R pilot project. (ABC’s Position M). SB 162 was signed by
the Governor and has become Act 163 of the 2015 Legislative Session.

BUSINESS

House Bills 87 and 182, by
Representatives Barbara Norton and Kenny Cox –Create new causes of
action for employers relating to gender discrimination by providing that pay
equity shall extend to all persons employed in the state of Louisiana.
These bills differ from current law by defining equal work as “similar” work
rather than “same” work and adding unintentional pay discrepancy as a new cause
of action against an employer. (ABC’s Positions O1) ABC
Win –HB’s 87 and 182 were involuntarily deferred in the House Labor
Committee.

House Bill 418, by Representative Stuart Bishop –Prohibits public entities from automatically withdrawing union dues from
public employees’ paychecks and submitting those dues to labor unions. (ABC’s
Position S1). ABC Loss –HB 418 passed by a 9-6 vote in
the House Labor Committee but, due to opposition, was not heard on the House
Floor.

House Bill 464 by
Representative Kirk Talbot –Provides that a franchisee and his
employees are not employees of the franchisor and further provides that any
agreement that an employer enters into with the U.S. Dept. of Labor cannot be
used by the state for an investigation or judicial or administrative
determination for any purpose, including whether the franchisee's employees are
employed by the franchisor. (ABC’s Position S2) ABC Win –HB 464 passed and has become Act 404 of the 2015 Legislative Session.

House Bill 612, by
Representative Austin Badon –Adds definitions of "sexual
orientation" and "gender identity or expression" for purposes of
the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law and provisions for unlawful
discrimination in employment. HB 612 defines "sexual
orientation" as an individual's actual or perceived heterosexuality,
homosexuality, or bisexuality. It further defines "gender
identity or expression" as a gender-related identity, appearance,
expression, or behavior of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex at
birth. (ABC’s Position O1) ABC Win –Due to
opposition HB 612 was not heard in Committee.

Senate Bill 206, by
Senator Ben Nevers –Provides for Direct Action Lawsuits against an
insurer alone should the insured meet specific employee threshold
numbers. (ABC’s Position O2) ABC Win –Despite
SB 206 passing both Senate Committee and the Senate Floor, it failed passage in
the House Civil Law Committee.

Senate Bill 219, by
Senator Ed Murray –Creates new causes of action related to gender
discrimination. SB 219 greatly surpasses federal laws and current state
laws which provide legal remedies for individuals discriminated against based
on gender. SB 219 redefines equal work as “similar” work rather
than “same” work and adds unintentional pay discrepancy as a new cause of
action against an employer. (ABC’s Position O1) ABC Win –After passing out of Senate Committee and off of the Senate Floor, SB 219
was involuntarily deferred in the House Labor Committee.

WAGES

House Bill 677, by
Representative Marcus Hunter –Establishes a state minimum wage and
repeals the prohibition on local variation in legally required minimum wage
rates and local mandates on vacation or sick leave. HB 677 further
provides definitions, including the definition of "employee" to
include incarcerated workers. (ABC’s Position O1) ABC Win
–HB 677 was involuntarily deferred in the House Labor Committee.

EDUCATION/TRAINING

House Bill 250, by
Representative Walt Leger –Authorizes donations, appropriations, or
dedications to be deposited in and credited into the Workforce Training Rapid
Response Fund. These additional deposits shall not be factored into
the determination of the unencumbered fund balance. (ABC’s Position S2)
ABC Win –HB 250 passed and has become Act 385 of the 2015
Legislative Session.

House Bill 838, by
Representative Edward Price –Provides that a student may only use a
TOPS-Tech Award for degrees and programs aligned with state workforce
priorities as determined by the Louisiana Board of Regents and the Louisiana
Workforce Investment Council. HB 838 is applicable beginning with
students graduating from high school in the 2016-17 school year. (ABC’s
Position S2). ABC Win –HB 838 was signed by the
Governor and became Act 230 of the 2015 Legislative Session.

Week 8 Update

ABC-LA
Bills of Note for this 8th Week of the 2015 Legislative Session:

House Bill 838, by
Representative Price, provides that students may use a TOPS-Tech award if
enrolled in associate's degree (academic or nonacademic) or shorter-term
training and education programs that the Louisiana Board of Regents and the
Louisiana Workforce Investment Council determine are aligned with state workforce
priorities. HB 838 passed without objection in the Senate Education
Committee this week and is set to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee
today. ABC is supporting HB 838.

Senate Bill 152, by
Senator Long, moves the regulation of home service contract providers from the
Louisiana Department of Insurance to the State Licensing Board for
Contractors. SB 152 was amended to remove the proposed regulation from
the State Licensing Board for Contractors to the Louisiana Secretary of State’s
office. SB 152 passed on the House Floor this week and is awaiting the
Governor’s signature. ABC is monitoring SB 152.

Senate Bill 162, by
Senator Gary Smith, establishes a Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R) pilot
program that is limited to ten projects, each estimated to cost three million
dollars or more. Pilot projects must be submitted by name for review and
approval by the House and Senate committees on transportation, highways, and
public works. HB 162 also states a public entity is allowed only one CM@R
pilot project. SB 162 Passed on the House Floor by a 95-0 vote. ABC
is monitoring SB 162.

House Bill 250, by Representative Leger, authorizes
donations, appropriations, or dedications to be deposited in and credited into
the Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund. HB 250 passed in the Senate
Finance Committee and is set to be heard on the Senate Floor. ABC
is supporting HB 250.

House Bill 162, by Representative Lorusso,
provides that the Louisiana National Guard may authorize the use of federal
contracting by the National Guard Bureau through the United States Property and
Fiscal Officer for design and construction services on state lands in certain
circumstances. ABC worked with Representative Lorusso and the Louisiana
National Guard to add amendments to this bill limiting the size and timeframe
under which allowance is permitted. HB 162 passed unanimously on the
House Floor and is awaiting signature by the Governor. ABC is
monitoring HB 172.

Senate Bill 206, by
Senator Ben Nevers, Provides for Direct Action against an insurer alone should
the insured meet specific employee threshold numbers. SB 206 passed by a
31-0 vote on the Senate Floor last week and failed passage in the House Civil
Law Committee this week. ABC was opposed to SB 206.

House Bill 387, by
Representative Walt Leger, extends the sunset for the tax credit for the
rehabilitation of nonresidential historic structures from Jan. 1, 2018 to Jan.
1, 2022 and provides for eligibility requirements. HB 387 passed 72-24 on
the House Floor last week and is set to be heard next week in the Senate
Finance Committee. ABC is supporting HB 387.

House Bill 632, by
Representative St. Germain, provides that it is unlawful for any employer to
refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate with respect to
compensation, terms, conditions of employment, segregate, limit, or classify
his employees or applicants for employment due to an individual's actual or
perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. HB
612 was voluntarily deferred in the House Civil Law Committee last week and is
likely dead for the session. ABC is opposed to HB 632.

House Bill 464, by
Representative Talbot, provides that a franchisee and his employees are not
employees of the franchisor and further provides that any agreement that an
employer enters into with the U.S. Dept. of Labor cannot be used by the state
for an investigation or judicial or administrative determination for any
purpose, including whether the franchisee's employees are employed by the
franchisor. HB 464 passed by a 4-1 vote in the Senate Labor Committee
this week and is set to be heard on the Senate Floor next week. ABC is
supporting HB 464.

Senate Bill 66, by
Senator Gary Smith, extends the time for Louisiana ports to utilize the
design-build method pilot program for five years from December 31, 2015 to
December 31, 2020. SB 66 passed on the House floor by an 84-2 vote.
ABC is monitoring SB 66.

Week 7 Update

ABC-LA Bills of Note for this 7th Week of the 2015 Legislative Session:

House Bill 677, by Representative Hunter, establishes a state minimum wage and repeals the prohibition on local variation in legally required minimum wage rates and local mandates on vacation or sick leave and provides definitions, including the definition of "employee" to include incarcerated workers. HB 677 was involuntarily deferred in the House Labor Committee last week. ABC was opposed to HB 677.

Senate Bill 129, by Senator Ben Nevers, Authorizes local public school districts to enter into agreements with higher-performing districts to manage and operate lower-performing schools. SB 129 passed 10-0 in the House Education Committee last week and is set to be heard on the House Floor this week. ABC is supporting SB 129.

Senate Bill 219, by Senator Ed Murray, creates a new cause of action related to gender discrimination by providing that pay equality shall extend to all persons employed in the State of Louisiana. SB 219 was involuntarily deferred in the House Labor Committee last week. ABC was opposed to SB 219.

House Bill 250, by Representative Leger, authorizes donations, appropriations, or dedications to be deposited in and credited into the Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund. HB 250 passed in the Senate Finance Committee and is set to be heard on the Senate Floor this week. ABC is supporting HB 250.

House Bill 612, by Representative Badon, adds definitions of "sexual orientation" and "gender identity or expression" for purposes of the Louisiana Employment Discrimination Law and provisions for unlawful discrimination in employment. HB 612 defines "sexual orientation" as an individual's actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or bisexuality. It further defines "gender identity or expression" as a gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or behavior of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex at birth. HB 612 was voluntarily deferred in the House Civil Law Committee last week and is set to be heard this week. ABC is opposed to HB 612.

House Bill 162, by Representative Lorusso, provides that the Louisiana National Guard may authorize the use of federal contracting by the National Guard Bureau through the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for design and construction services on state lands in certain circumstances. ABC worked with Representative Lorusso and the Louisiana National Guard to add amendments to this bill limiting the size and timeframe under which allowance is permitted. HB 162 passed unanimously on the Senate Floor with amendments and is scheduled for House concurrence this week. ABC is monitoring HB 172.

House Bill 166, by Representative Bouie, requires the transfer of schools that are no longer failing from the Recovery School District back to the Orleans Parish School Board. HB 166 failed House Floor passage by a 31-60 vote. ABC opposed HB 166.

Senate Bill 206, by Senator Ben Nevers, Provides for Direct Action against an insurer alone should the insured meet specific employee threshold numbers. SB 206 passed by a 31-0 vote on the Senate Floor last week and is set to be heard in the House Civil Law Committee this week. ABC is opposed to SB 206.

House Bill 387, by Representative Walt Leger, extends the sunset for the tax credit for the rehabilitation of nonresidential historic structures from Jan. 1, 2018 to Jan. 1, 2022 and provides for eligibility requirements. HB 387 passed 72-24 on the House Floor last week and is awaiting Senate Committee Referral. ABC is supporting HB 387.

House Bill 418, by Representative Stuart Bishop, prohibits public entities from withdrawing union dues from public employees’ paychecks and submitting those dues to labor unions. HB 419 passed favorably in the House Labor Committee, and was set to be heard on the House Floor this week but was temporarily returned to the calendar. ABC is supporting HB 418.

House Bill 632, by Representative St. Germain, provides that it is unlawful for any employer to refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate with respect to compensation, terms, conditions of employment, segregate, limit, or classify his employees or applicants for employment due to an individual's actual or perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. HB 612 was voluntarily deferred in the House Civil Law Committee last week and is set to be heard this week. ABC is opposed to HB 632.

House Bill 464, by Representative Talbot, provides that a franchisee and his employees are not employees of the franchisor and further provides that any agreement that an employer enters into with the U.S. Dept. of Labor cannot be used by the state for an investigation or judicial or administrative determination for any purpose, including whether the franchisee's employees are employed by the franchisor. HB 464 passed 100-0 on the House Floor last and is set to be heard in the Senate Labor Committee this week. ABC is supporting HB 464.

Senate Bill 162, by Senator Gary Smith, establishes a Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R) pilot program that is limited to ten projects, each estimated to cost three million dollars or more. Pilot projects must be submitted by name for review and approval by the House and Senate Transportation Committees. SB 162 passed without objection in the House Transportation Committee last week and is set to be heard on the House Floor this week. ABC is monitoring SB 162.

WEEK 6 UPDATE

ABC-LA
Bills of Note for this 6th Week of the 2015 Legislative Session:

House Bill 250, by Representative Leger, authorizes
donations, appropriations, or dedications to be deposited in and credited into
the Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund. HB 250 passed in the Senate
Finance Committee and is set to be heard on the Senate Floor next
week. ABC is supporting HB 250.

House Bill 612, by
Representative Badon, add definitions of "sexual orientation" and
"gender identity or expression" for purposes of the Louisiana
Employment Discrimination Law and provisions for unlawful discrimination in
employment. HB 612 defines "sexual orientation" as an
individual's actual or perceived heterosexuality, homosexuality, or
bisexuality. It further defines "gender identity or
expression" as a gender-related identity, appearance, expression, or
behavior of a person, regardless of the person's assigned sex at birth.
HB 612 was voluntarily deferred in the House Civil Law Committee and is set to
be heard next week. ABC is opposed to HB 612.

House Bill 162, by Representative Lorusso,
provides that the Louisiana National Guard may authorize the use of federal
contracting by the National Guard Bureau through the United States Property and
Fiscal Officer for design and construction services on state lands in certain
circumstances. ABC worked with Representative Lorusso and the Louisiana
National Guard to add amendments to this bill limiting the size and timeframe
under which allowance is permitted. HB 162 passed favorably in the
Senate Judiciary B Committee and is set to be heard on the Senate Floor next
week. ABC is monitoring HB 172.

House Bill 166, by Representative
Bouie, requires the transfer of schools that are no longer failing from the
Recovery School District back to the Orleans Parish School Board. HB 166
failed House Floor passage by a 60-31 vote. ABC opposed HB 166.

House Bill 387, by
Representative Walt Leger, extends the sunset for the tax credit for the
rehabilitation of nonresidential historic structures from Jan. 1, 2018 to Jan.
1, 2022 and provides for eligibility requirements. HB 387 passed without
objection in the House Ways & Means Committee this week and is scheduled to
be heard on the House Floor next week. ABC is supporting HB 387.

House Bill 418, by Representative Stuart Bishop,
prohibits public entities from withdrawing union dues from public employees’
paychecks and submitting those dues to labor unions. HB 419 passed
favorably in the House Labor Committee, and was set to be heard on the House
Floor this week but was temporarily returned to the calendar. ABC is
supporting HB 418.

House Bill 632, by
Representative St. Germain, provides that it is unlawful for any employer to
refuse to hire, discharge, or otherwise discriminate with respect to
compensation, terms, conditions of employment, segregate, limit, or classify
his employees or applicants for employment due to an individual's actual or
perceived sexual orientation, gender identity, or gender expression. HB
612 was voluntarily deferred in the House Civil Law Committee and is set to be
heard next week. ABC is opposed to HB 632.

House Bill 464, by
Representative Talbot, provides that a franchisee and his employees are not
employees of the franchisor and further provides that any agreement that an
employer enters into with the U.S. Dept. of Labor cannot be used by the state
for an investigation or judicial or administrative determination for any
purpose, including whether the franchisee's employees are employed by the
franchisor. HB464 passed favorably in the House Labor and Industrial
Relations Committee and is set to be heard on the House Floor next week. ABC
is supporting HB 464.

Senate Bill 219, by Senator Ed Murray, creates a
new cause of action related to gender discrimination by providing that pay
equality shall extend to all persons employed in the State of Louisiana. SB
219 passed on the Senate Floor by a 21-16 vote and is scheduled to be heard in
the House Labor Committee next week. ABC is opposed to SB 219.

House Bill 677, by
Representative Hunter, establishes a state minimum wage and repeals the
prohibition on local variation in legally required minimum wage rates and local
mandates on vacation or sick leave and provides definitions, including the
definition of "employee" to include incarcerated workers. HB
677 was set to be heard in the House Labor Committee this week. The House
Labor Committee postponed its weekly meeting until next week. ABC is
opposed to HB 677.

Senate Bill 219, by Senator Ed Murray, creates
a new cause of action related to gender discrimination by providing that pay
equality shall extend to all persons employed in the State of Louisiana.
SB 219 passed on the Senate Floor by a 21-16 vote and is set to be heard in the
House Labor Committee next week. ABC is opposed to SB 219.

Senate Bill 162, by
Senator Gary Smith, establishes a Construction Manager at Risk (CM@R) pilot
program that is limited to ten projects, each estimated to cost three million
dollars or more. Pilot projects must be submitted by name for review and
approval by the House and Senate Transportation Committees. SB 162 passed
without objection in the House Transportation Committee this week and is set to
be heard on the House Floor next week. ABC is monitoring SB 162.

Week 5 Update

ABC-LA
Bills of Note for this 5th Week of the 2015 Legislative Session:

Senate Bill 219, by Senator Ed Murray, creates a
new cause of action related to gender discrimination by providing that pay
equality shall extend to all persons employed in the State of Louisiana.
SB 219 passed on the Senate Floor by a 21-16 vote and is scheduled to be heard
in the House Labor Committee next week. ABC is opposed to SB 219.

Senate Bill 81, by
Senator Peterson, requires employers to provide paid sick leave benefits for
all full-time employees and expands the scope of sick leave provisions to 7 new
required allowances. SB 81 was involuntarily deferred in the Senate Labor
and Industrial Relations Committee. ABC was opposed to SB 81.

House Bill 250, by Representative Leger, authorizes
donations, appropriations, or dedications to be deposited in and credited into
the Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund. HB 250 passed 92-0 on the
House Floor and is set to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee on
Monday. ABC is supporting HB 250.

Senate Bill 84, by
Senator Peterson, creates the "Louisiana Family and Medical Leave Benefits
Act" and provides new definitions for “covered individual, employer,
family member, health condition. . . .” SB 84 was voluntarily deferred in
the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations committee this week and has been scheduled
to be heard in committee next week. ABC is opposed to SB 84.

House Bill 162, by Representative Lorusso,
provides that the Louisiana National Guard may authorize the use of federal
contracting by the National Guard Bureau through the United States Property and
Fiscal Officer for design and construction services on state lands in certain
circumstances. ABC worked with Representative Lorusso and the Louisiana
National Guard to add amendments to this bill limiting the size and timeframe
under which allowance is permitted. HB 162 passed by a 99-0 vote on
the House Floor and is set to be heard in the Senate Judiciary B
Committee. ABC is monitoring HB 172.

House Bill 418, by Representative Stuart Bishop,
prohibits public entities from withdrawing union dues from public employees’
paychecks and submitting those dues to labor unions. HB 419 passed
favorably in the House Labor Committee, and was set to be heard on the House
Floor this week but was temporarily returned to the calendar. ABC is
supporting HB 418.

A package of LABI bills (HB293 by Representative
Barras, HB294 by Representative Stuart Bishop, HB698 by
Representative Abramson) supported by the much of the business community
dealing with judicial transparency was heard in the House Judiciary Committee
this week. None of the bills made it out of committee. ABC
was supporting the package of bills.

Senate Bill 464, by
Representative Talbot, provides that a franchisee and his employees are not
employees of the franchisor and further provides that any agreement that an
employer enters into with the U.S. Dept. of Labor cannot be used by the state
for an investigation or judicial or administrative determination for any
purpose, including whether the franchisee's employees are employed by the
franchisor. HB464 passed favorably in the House Labor and Industrial
Relations Committee this week and is set to be heard on the House Floor next
week. ABC is supporting HB 464.

Week 4 Update

ABC-LA
Bills of Note for this 4th Week of the 2015 Legislative Session:

House Bill 250, by Representative Leger, authorizes
donations, appropriations, or dedications to be deposited in and credited into
the Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund. HB 250 passed 92-0 on the
House Floor and is set to be heard in the Senate Finance Committee. ABC
is supporting HB 250.

Senate Bill 219, by Senator Ed Murray, creates a
new cause of action related to gender discrimination by providing that pay
equality shall extend to all persons employed in the State of Louisiana.
SB 219 passed without objection in the Senate and Governmental Affairs Committee
and is set to be heard on the Senate Floor next week. ABC is opposed
to SB 219.

House Bill 162, by Representative Lorusso,
provides that the Louisiana National Guard may authorize the use of federal
contracting by the National Guard Bureau through the United States Property and
Fiscal Officer for design and construction services on state lands in certain
circumstances. ABC worked with Representative Lorusso and the Louisiana
National Guard to add amendments to this bill limiting the size and timeframe under
which allowance is permitted. HB 162 passed by a 99-0 vote on the
House Floor and is set to be heard in the Senate Judiciary B Committee. ABC
is monitoring HB 172.

Senate Bill 201, by
Senator Rick Gallot, gives citizens of Louisiana the power to propose statutes
and constitutional amendments via direct local ballot initiatives and present
such initiatives to the electorate. Senate Bill 201 was involuntarily
deferred in the Senate Governmental Affairs Committee this week. ABC
was opposed to SB 201.

Senate Bill 81, by
Senator Peterson, requires employers to provide paid sick leave benefits for
all full-time employees and expands the scope of sick leave provisions to 7 new
required allowances. SB 81 was voluntarily deferred in the Senate Labor
and Industrial Relations committee this week and has been scheduled to be heard
in committee next week. ABC is opposed to SB 81.

Senate Bill 464, by
Representative Talbot, provides that a franchisee and his employees are not
employees of the franchisor and further provides that any agreement that an
employer enters into with the U.S. Dept. of Labor cannot be used by the state
for an investigation or judicial or administrative determination for any
purpose, including whether the franchisee's employees are employed by the
franchisor. HB464 was schedule to be heard in the House Labor and
Industrial Relations Committee this week. The committee meeting was
cancelled and is set meet next week. ABC is supporting HB 464.

Senate Bill 84, by
Senator Peterson, creates the "Louisiana Family and Medical Leave Benefits
Act" and provides new definitions for “covered individual, employer,
family member, health condition. . . .” SB 84 was voluntarily deferred in
the Senate Labor and Industrial Relations committee this week and has been
scheduled to be heard in committee next week. ABC is opposed to SB 84.

House Bill 418, by Representative Stuart Bishop,
prohibits public entities from automatically withdrawing union dues from public
employees’ paychecks and submitting those dues to labor unions. HB 419
passed favorably in the House Labor Committee and is set to be heard on the
House Floor next week. ABC is supporting HB 418.

Week 3 Update

With only 45 work days
allowed during the 60 day session, it has been a very active first few weeks
for ABC at the State Capitol. The majority of the debate this session has
surrounded the state budget shortfall. However, new revenue sources, taxes, and
many bills are quietly making their way through the legislative process as
possible solutions.

Join
Us:

Do
you want our collective voice to be heard loud and clear? Please join us
for our 2015 ABC-LA Legislative Reception this Monday, May 4th
beginning at 6:00 pm at the Jimmie Davis House in the shadows of the State
Capitol. We hope you will be able to make it to this event. We are
expecting a great turnout of both ABC Members and Legislators. It is a
great opportunity to visit with your elected officials and to let the voice of
the Merit Shop be heard. If you have yet to register, please do so as
soon as possible. I look forward to seeing you there.

ABC-LA
Bills of Note for this 3rd Week of the 2015 Legislative Session:

House Bill 87, by Representative Barbara Norton, creates a new
cause of action related to gender discrimination by providing that pay equality
shall extend to all persons employed in the State of Louisiana. HB87 died
in the House Labor Committee. ABC was opposed to HB 87.

House Bill 182, by Representative Cox, creates a new cause of action
related to gender discrimination by providing that pay equality shall extend to
all persons employed in the State of Louisiana. HB182 died in the House
Labor Committee. ABC was opposed to HB 182.

House
Bill 250, by Representative Leger,
authorizes donations, appropriations, or dedications to be deposited in and
credited into the Workforce Training Rapid Response Fund. HB 250 passed
18-0 in the House Appropriations Committee this week and is set to be heard on
the House Floor next week. ABC is supporting HB 250.

House
Bill 622, by Representative Pierre,
allows the city of Lafayette, the parish of Lafayette, and the Lafayette City
Parish Consolidated Government to award public works contracts on the basis of
construction time and life cycle cost, in addition to bid cost. ABC
testified in opposition to this bill in the House Transportation
Committee. HB 622 failed passage in committee. ABC was opposed
to HB 622.

House
Bill 679, by Representative St.
Germain, creates the Conveyance Devices Safety Pilot Program which requires the
owner of a conveyance device to cease operating the device after an accident
involving injury and requires owners to report to the state fire marshal any
injury or death occurring on a covered conveyance, and requires the state fire
marshal to issue an immediate cease and desist order to the owner of the
conveyance and investigate the injury or death within 24 hours of receipt of
the report. HB 679 failed passage in the House Commerce Committee. ABC
was opposed to HB 679.

House Bill 172, by Representative Lorusso, provides that the
Louisiana National Guard may authorize the use of federal contracting by the
National Guard Bureau through the United States Property and Fiscal Officer for
design and construction services on state lands in certain circumstances.
ABC worked with Representative Lorusso and the Louisiana National Guard to add
amendments to this bill limiting the size and timeframe under which allowance
is permitted. ABC is monitoring HB 172.

House Bill 418, by Representative Stuart Bishop, prohibits public
entities from automatically withdrawing union dues from public employees’
paychecks and submitting those dues to labor unions. HB 419 passed
favorably in the House Labor Committee and is set to be heard on the House
Floor as early as next week. ABC is supporting HB 418.

Associated Builders and Contractors (ABC) is a national trade association representing 22,000 members from more than 19,000 construction and industry-related firms. Founded on the merit shop philosophy, ABC and its 70 chapters help members win work and deliver that work safely, ethically and profitably for the betterment of the communities in which they work.